Medical examination system, particularly a magnetic resonance system

Abstract

A medical examination system, particularly a magnetic resonance system, has a host computer unit, a control computer unit and an image computer unit. The control computer unit is realized in the form of at least one insert card that is arranged in a commercially obtainable personal computer that contains the host computer unit.

We claim as our invention:  
     
       1. A medical examination system comprising: 
       a patient scanner which produces image data from a patient;  
       a personal computer having an insert card inserted therein forming a control computer connected to said patient scanner for controlling operation of said patient scanner to obtain said image data;  
       an image computer supplied with said image data for reconstructing an image of said patient therefrom; and  
       said personal computer also containing a host computer, said host computer supporting operation of said control computer and said image computer.  
     
     
       2. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said personal computer comprises a main processor operating with a real time operating system which supports said host computer and said control computer formed by said insert card. 
     
     
       3. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said real time operating system comprises an operating system with a windowed user interface. 
     
     
       4. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said image computer is a further insert card inserted in said personal computer. 
     
     
       5. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said personal computer comprises a PCI bus and a main processor connected to said PCI bus, and wherein at least one of said insert card forming said control computer and said insert card for said image computer is connected to said PCI bus. 
     
     
       6. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a signal line connected between said patient scanner and said insert card forming said control computer, on which said image data are transmitted as analog signals, and an analog-to-digital converter on said insert card forming said control computer which converts said analog signals into digital data and supplies said digital data to said control computer, and high-frequency shielding for said analog-to-digital converter. 
     
     
       7. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 6  further comprising high-frequency shielding for said signal line. 
     
     
       8. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said signal line comprises a light wave guide. 
     
     
       9. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 6  further comprising a circuit for scrambling said analog signals from said patient scanner before transmission on said signal line to said analog-to-digital converter. 
     
     
       10. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a signal line from said patient scanner on which said image data are transmitted as analog signals, an analog-to-digital converter connected to said signal line and disposed outside of said personal computer which receives said analog signals from said signal line and converts said analog signals into digital data, and a digital signal line connecting said analog-to-digital converter to said insert card for said control computer forming supplying said digital data to said control computer. 
     
     
       11. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said patient scanner comprises a magnetic resonance imaging scanner having a basic field magnet, and wherein said analog-to-digital converter is disposed in a region of said basic field magnet. 
     
     
       12. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said patient scanner comprises a magnetic resonance imaging system having a radio-frequency shielded cabin, and wherein said medical examination system further comprises a filter plate at said radio-frequency shielded cabin, said analog-to-digital converter being disposed at said filter plate. 
     
     
       13. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said patient scanner comprises a magnetic resonance imaging scanner having a radio-frequency reception coil, and wherein said analog-to-digital converter is disposed in a region of said radio-frequency reception coil. 
     
     
       14. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said signal line comprises a connecting plug connecting said signal line to said radio-frequency reception coil, and wherein said analog-to-digital converter is disposed in said connecting plug. 
     
     
       15. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 14  further comprising high-frequency shielding for said connecting plug. 
     
     
       16. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising high-frequency shielding for said analog-to-digital converter. 
     
     
       17. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said signal line comprises a light wave guide. 
     
     
       18. A medical examination system as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising a circuit for scrambling said analog signals from said patient scanner before transmission on said signal line to said analog-to-digital converter.